Richt: ‘I’m coaching my tail off’
With Georgia on its first four-game losing streak in 20 years, Mark Richt was asked by a reporter Wednesday night if he feels like he is coaching for his job.
“You always are,” Richt replied. “I think you always are. I can tell you I’m coaching my tail off, though.”
Richt also was asked if the speculation about his job security is fair, given his 10-year record.
“I’m not going to get into all that,” he said, adding that he will focus on things he can control.
A few other notes:
- As of Thursday morning, Georgia had 142 tickets still for sale from the 400 that Tennessee returned from its allotment for Saturday’s game. If the remaining tickets are sold, the game will be the Bulldogs’ 60th consecutive sellout at Sanford Stadium -– every game since Richt became coach.
- Also as of Thursday morning, Georgia had 467 tickets available for the Oct. 16 game against Vanderbilt and 755 for the Nov. 6 game against Idaho State. Those are from the 1,200 tickets returned by Vanderbilt and the 2,000 returned by Idaho State.
- If you missed it, Richt said Marlon Brown is definitely out for Saturday’s game with a shoulder injury and Kris Durham’s chances of playing are 50-50 because of the pinched nerve in his neck that kept him out of last week’s game.
(Andy Johnston contributed to this blog.)
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248 comments Add your comment
JB
October 7th, 2010
1:08 pm
I would say the people writing a check for Tickets/Hartman fund have a right to voice a concern……Others just sounding off
sockdawg
October 7th, 2010
1:08 pm
OK…I’m convienced that CMR wants to get fired. Think about it. Buyout of up to 8 million. That’s two – three years of work for him. He can cash out put it in the bank and then get a OC somewhere and make $500k. I’m sure $500k will pay the light bill. I say this becasue I’m shock at the lack of leadership from him. He should be leading by example, but I don’t see that from him. For example, run the team on the field and show them & the fans you are the leader of this program.
Chhuahua Puppy
October 7th, 2010
1:09 pm
BamaDawg
“The individuals writing these blogs never stepped on a football field let alone played on one or even played organized football in their life.”
There is no prerequisite to being a fan.
I want YOU fired soon…..think about it.
harold
October 7th, 2010
1:10 pm
YOU JUST AREN’T A CHAMPIONSHIP COACH…..
UGA’s Richt: “I am coaching my tail off” | ChuckOliver.Net
October 7th, 2010
1:17 pm
[...] http://blogs.ajc.com/uga-sports-blog/2010/10/07/richt-im-coaching-my-tail-off/?cxntfid=blogs_uga_spo... [...]
dmr
October 7th, 2010
1:17 pm
Every coach goes through a rough patch. My biggest complaint had been that we were bringing in coaches as coordinators that are not experienced in the position. If you were to bring in another coach, they would not know how to deal with this much adversity most likely. This has been Richt’s “baptism by fire”, so to speak. In the long run, this program and this coach will be much better for it. Having dealt with it, he will know better how to avoid it in the future. Give Richt a chance to make the necessary adjustments…and make this year about building quality depth and looking ahead to a better future.
Mike Bobo
October 7th, 2010
1:30 pm
I like to run dem running plays up der middle wit dem lil runnin backs…
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
Mobile Dawg
October 7th, 2010
1:33 pm
We are undisciplined off the field.
We are undisciplined on the field.
We are not as physical as our opponents.
We aren’t able to coach up top 10 recruiting classes.
We haven’t won a ball game of significance in memory.
We have gotten blown out of the ball games that were really significant at that moment.
We are at the bottom of the conference.
We are 1-4.
What’s the common denominator?
Discipline has to be taught from day one. It’s not something new you’re going to introduce to a 10 year old when you start fearing you might be in trouble with your current approach. Coachdawg, your calling out of Lowcountry and other fans in general that disagree with you speaks volumes for your maturity as well. This Dawg is ready to welcome a change. I believe there are many good candidates out there that can elevate this program to heights we haven’t really seen before. There’s no reason we shouldn’t be able to complete with the tradition of Alabama or anyone else in the country going forward.
Remember, fear is one of the time robbers of life….
Coachdawg 2000
October 7th, 2010
1:34 pm
JB-
This is your right to voice your concern and to not renew your season tickets. I just hate that we are all truning on our guys. As long as all of these guys are wearing “G”’s we ALL need to support them unconditionally. I think we have people running the show(AD) who know what is best. But it is disappointing how quickly some parts of our fanbase have already bailed.
Mobile Dawg
October 7th, 2010
1:37 pm
dmr, I think the University of Georgia deserves a damn shot better coach than one who has to go through the on the job training routine. No room for training pants at this level.
If Nick Saban walked in the door tomorrow (and he won’t) he would run about 1/4th of this football team off within a week. We need a coach with a strong will, firm backbone, and determination to turn this around.
The Dumb Element in Georgia
October 7th, 2010
1:38 pm
ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
At 1-4 and the weedeater bowl last year, that ain’t much tail!
Lost Dawg
October 7th, 2010
1:38 pm
Come on Dawg fans,
Va. Tech lost to James madison
Alabama lost to La. Monroe
Ole Miss lost to a lower tier team
Michigan lost to App State
Just a few of the programs that lost games in the past few years, these coaches didn’t forget how to coach.
Les Miles on the hot seat and is undefeated???????
CMR hasn’t forgotten how to coach.
1 play in each of our 4 loses goes the other way and we’re undefeated.
Time to quit whinning and Hunker Down.
See ya at the game.
gradygrad96
October 7th, 2010
1:39 pm
So, is it me or is this the reason that Coach Richt’s butt disappeared once Van Gorder left????
Coachdawg 2000
October 7th, 2010
1:41 pm
Murphy-
My point was that if you’ve coached at all (unless you’ve never lost or there complete apathy ala girls’school)then you’ve been on the other end of this harsh criticism from people who do not understand. Sometimes young guys lose focus(i.e. gf dumped them,not doing well in a class, basically life stuff). I just find it hard to believe that a coach would condone this type to of withc hunt. There are people on here criticizing Richt for being christian.
Mobile Dawg
October 7th, 2010
1:45 pm
Coachdawg, your last statement ” it is disappointing how quickly some parts of our fanbase have already bailed” reminds me of CMR’s oversight of this program. This fan base hasn’t bailed first, and second we haven’t been this critical or adamant on calling for a change just because we’re 1-4. We’ve been witnessing the deterioration of the “very foundation” of this program for several years now. You, and people like you, and their ignorance in recognizing this, and not questioning it, allowed CMR to continue the status quo until it became to late. Now the wolves are out. If CMR had gotten serious a little sooner maybe this could have been avoided.
As someone else said earlier “the wheels are in motion now”, and it’s going to be hard to stop the forward momentum. Get on the train or get run over, ever heard that one?
Shankit
October 7th, 2010
1:47 pm
The answer is to demote BoBo to an assistant level,
and go after the offensive genius, Mike Leach.
Google on Mike Leach and look at his resume, no
on can touch him.
Coached Tim Couch at Kentucky, #1 draft NFL,
Coached Dusty Bonner at Kentucky and VSU, won 2 Harlen trophies
Coached Chris Hatcher, won 1 Harlen trophy, NC at VSU
OC under Hal Mumme at VSU and Kentucky, another offensive genius.
OC under Bob Stoops at Oklahoma, brought in the Air Raid Offense.
HC at Texas Tech.
Johnny Unitas Golden ARm award to his quarterback, Harrell
Fred Belitikoff award to his wide receiver
Set record NCAA offense in Div. II.
Players love him, beats to a different drum, sideline motivator,
Drove an old Cadillac at VSU and his favorite restaurant was
Waffle House, cause it had a juke box and sweet tea.
Law degree from Pepperdine.
Need to go after him, Richt, before someone else gets him.
gdawginkalamazoo
October 7th, 2010
1:47 pm
Really , the turnovers in the redzone have absolutely killed us this year. They are not just scoring opportunities missed they are momentum killers. They take the wind out of the sails of the entire team. Everything this team has worked for has been shot down because of the turnovers. Murray has done well this year, our RB’s could do better if we quit running them up the middle. The defense is adjusting and will start making those plays that they have been missing. I don’t think this team is afraid of manning up. All the wins against us have been historical wins for Arkansas, SC, MS and Colorado. I know, history sucks, maybe we turn that around the second half of the season here.
Mobile Dawg
October 7th, 2010
1:49 pm
CD, anytime one sees a post criticizing CMR for being a Christian is an immediate indicator to just ignore that post and move on. This blog is full of trolls, but there are also a lot of loyal fans and supporters making good points for and against.
Coach Sleepy
October 7th, 2010
1:50 pm
“I can tell you I’m coaching my tail off”
I can barely keep my eyes open.
Mobile Dawg
October 7th, 2010
1:51 pm
Zoo, thanks for the positive comments. Everyone have a good day, got to run, have some fun, and get a little work dun….Good afternoon Dawgs….
gdawginkalamazoo
October 7th, 2010
1:51 pm
Shankit,
You forgot to add:
vindictive dude who locks kids in the closet when they need medical attention.
will spend more time in court with the pending lawsuits he has to deal with.
IDIOT
October 7th, 2010
1:51 pm
Woof Woof Woof … I’ll be barking all day and all night … go dawgs baby … sic em.. rebel yell … wooooo … Woof!!!!
Lowcountry Bulldawg
October 7th, 2010
1:53 pm
Mobile (1:45)
That post is the entire situation in a nutshell. It is inconceivable that UGA fans cannot see how we have gotten to this situation.
IDIOT
October 7th, 2010
1:58 pm
BARK BARK BARK!! WOOF WOOF WOOF !!! I love me sum dawgs and the dawg nation… we got this baby sic em.. go dawgs … woof woof woof!!!
Shankit
October 7th, 2010
1:58 pm
gadawginkalamazoo – Maybe Richt should build a closet.
IDIOT
October 7th, 2010
2:02 pm
Got my UGA sticker on my red truck and all my other Dawg gear that I bought at Wal mart … ready to sic em in athens this Saturday baby… woof!
$dog
October 7th, 2010
2:02 pm
Let me say I am as disappointed with the Bulldogs performance as anyone else and yes after the SC game I was ready to see CMR’s job on the chopping block. But, after a while to really think about it, I am backing off that notion and am supporting Mark Richt. Here’s why:
Money – If CMR is fired we still owe him a hefty salary somewhere in the 8M range I believe. While the Athletic Assoc has deep pockets, I am not sure they can financially afford to pay the remainder of Richt’s contract in addition to the 8-10 million they would have to offer another big time coach. Hell, I think we may still be paying off Donnan’s contract.
Recruiting – Yes, a lot has been made of our top 10 recruiting classes but how many of these prospects actually make it to theit first game day? Some don’t have the grades coming out of high school, some get red shirted, some get injured and some cant live by NCAA rules, others leave school for various reasons and some just don’t live up to their hype. So in the end you just got to work with what you have.
Competativeness – Much has been made of CMR not getting in players faces etc. Give me a break! Do we really want someone who behaves like Bobby Knight? You don’t have to jump up and down and flail your arms at a 22 year old to get his attention. Sometimes the look of disappointment on the coach’s face speaks much louder than the yelling. Also people that I know that have had interactions with CMR tell me he is one of the most competative guys they have ever known.
Discipline – sure discipline has been lacking but is that REALLY Richts fault? Good discipline starts at home and if the kid doesn’t have it by the time he gets into college – well, the die is already cast. Remember these are 18-22 year olds who are having to abide by stringent NCAA rules. Which one of us didn’t go out for a few drinks in college even though it was illegal? Who wouldn’t loved to have had an extra 1000 bucks to blow on Spring Break? Who doesn’t make a few poor decisions at that age? Most of us are lucky and just didn’t get caught. Maybe we just have a few bad apples.
I think the UGA coachs have been feeling the pressure for several years and as a result have signed some players that may be 4-5 star but are only in it for themselves, have no concept of teamwork, or they turn out to be completely uncoachable. When the pressure is on you tend to do things that you might not otherwise do. Like not having two a days or full contact practice in order to keep injuries down or playing a lightweight because he has the biggest heart on the team even though he gets brought down by a strong breeze.
So lets get off his back and let CMR do what he does and that is coach the Bulldogs. Given all of the negativity as of late, I really wouldn’t blame him if he just said “screw it” and walked away. Then what? Who are you going to get? Smart, Munschamp, they had opprotunities to come to Athens but declined. What makes anyone think they would be interested now and that they would immediately turn the program arround? I think recent history with other teams proves that if Richt gets canned, it would be another decade before we get back to being a competative team.
My .02 worth
Heyzeus Christos
October 7th, 2010
2:03 pm
I support CMR and the work he does guiding young men to my Heavenly Father. But, for football, I’d go with Nicky Satan anytime.
IDIOT
October 7th, 2010
2:04 pm
BARK!!!
loverussthetemporarymascot
October 7th, 2010
2:09 pm
Russ…we love you on here buddy. Read you every day. Any chance you may write a book about your experience as the UGA mascot?
yogi2
October 7th, 2010
2:15 pm
Hire Mike Shula as offensive Coordinatar . Get rid of Bobo and his red panties
IDIOT
October 7th, 2010
2:15 pm
WOOOF! UGA National Champs 2010!!! Get your game faces on boys and sic em! WOOF WOOF WOOF!!!
IDIOT
October 7th, 2010
2:17 pm
Im barking til the cows come home boyz… go dawgz … woof woof woof … sic em … I BLEED RED AND BLACK! GO DAWGZ SIC EM WOOF WOOF WOOF !
yogi2
October 7th, 2010
2:20 pm
The reason Richt won”t hire a decent Offensive coach is that richt knows
that coach may be his replacement. Stupid way to have job security
black & blue dawg
October 7th, 2010
2:21 pm
CMR will not return the team to dominance. Saban has come to town and raised the bar. He knows how to evaluate talent and it seems he can evaluate character also. UGA is behind south carolina, florida, quite possibly tennesse. If we continue another year with CMR and BOZO, we will be that much farther behind. Cut your ties after the season Mr. McGarity and give a call to Kirby Smart or ante up and go after Jim Harbaugh.
ugaclassof2004
October 7th, 2010
2:23 pm
I have analyzed this coaching staff from all different angles, and quite frankly I’m tired of doing it. I have also analyzed our fan base to no end with their ridicuously high expectations.
So here is what I expect from our coaching staff:
Have your team play hard and play smart and put them in positions to excel. If your players won’t do that then bench them. And if the coaches can’t help the players out with good playcalling then they need to go! Period.
Do I expect this team to beat Florida every year? No. Do I expect them to give it their all regardless of their ability and give them a tough out? Yes, and no that is not an unreasonable expectation to have! Do I think it is absolutely unacceptable for this team to lose games 49-10? You bet it is!
With the resources,alumni support, and instate talent UGA has: going 7-5 should be considered a losing season. So what is the difference? Leadership: plain and simple. Florida has it. Bama has it. UGA does not. Florida fired Ron Zook are 3 years of 8-5. Florida demanded higher standards and they got it. Mark Richt went 8-5 last season and he was hardly on the hot seat! At Bama or Florida his seat would have been FLAMING! But you know what? As long as we as fans are willing to accept mediocrity, mediocrity is what we will get. Bama and Florida make excellence a priority in their football program, UGA doesn’t. Its that simple. The proof is in the pudding! As long as the leadership and the boosters are content with keeping Richt, the situation will not change. Either demand excellence and get a new coach, or be content with Richt and settle for 7-8 wins a year.
TNDawg
October 7th, 2010
2:23 pm
Can Geico save you 15% on your insurance? Do the Georgia Bulldogs suck out loud?
IDIOT
October 7th, 2010
2:28 pm
Extend CMR contract!!! Woof! Bark! Drool! Lick em dawgz!
Cobb Dawg
October 7th, 2010
2:33 pm
Maybe he should coach with the other end!
IDIOT
October 7th, 2010
2:46 pm
IDIOT..er sorry have to run my sister just got home from school and she’s horny.
jasont13
October 7th, 2010
2:46 pm
Still amzaes me that everyone who posts on here knows how to coach at a high level of football. How do you know Coach Richt was not on the hote seat? And to bring up Ron Zook. He was not even Florida’s first choice as a head coach. If it wasn’t for Ron Zook there may not have been a Timmy Tebow at Flordia.
bbcsickdawg
October 7th, 2010
2:47 pm
take the g off headgear put v on paint it and youll be doing a great job
Big Dawg
October 7th, 2010
2:47 pm
Well said 59bulldawg. It’s not just the losses this year, it’s the downward trend in so many areas. There are a lot of qualified candidates that Mr. McGarity can choose from if and when we get to that point. And when the right person comes in and utilizes the talent that is always available in the great state of Georgia, and brings focus and discipline back to the program, then it will be apparent to all of the CMR hanger on’s. Staying this course is not an option, and if some of this group wants to follow CMR, more power to you.
Vixzilla
October 7th, 2010
2:48 pm
If we lose at home to a weak UT (where the coach has his players playing up even)after the season we’ve had so far, you will see a turd of epic proportions hit the proverbial fan in Athens.
jasont13
October 7th, 2010
2:49 pm
Stil no one will give out a few LOGICAL names as a head coach if Coach Richt is let go. Someone mentioned Jim Harbaugh. Most head coaches have a buyout clause in their contract so if they are fired the school owes them money and if they leave to take another job they owe the school the buyout clause. Do some research.
JustCurious
October 7th, 2010
2:50 pm
How can one be “coaching his tail off” after assigning play calling responsibilities to the likes of Bobo? My 7 year old can tell me 90% of the time what play is coming next!!
BeerDawg
October 7th, 2010
2:52 pm
I’ve said my peace before, Richt needs to go. But that’s unlikely and out of my control.
But for a little perspective, if you think UGA fans are bad, look at the LSU fans. Their team is 5-0 (albeit extremely luckily) and their fans want to run Les Miles out of town…..talk about a lunatic fringe fan base….At least UGA fans have reasons to complain
GStateBen
October 7th, 2010
2:53 pm
You have to think the cracks are adding up. He’ll be just like his mentor. Run out of the program when the donations start drying up and the natives call for his head (which has already begun).
He’ll fire Bobo in January and will be forced to take over play calling duties. More accountability. The team will lose another 4 games (or more in 2011) and he’ll be asked to leave.
Horace Mann
October 7th, 2010
2:58 pm
I’ve never understood how anyone – even an alumnus – could support and take pride in UGA’s football team. When you look at their history for the past forty years, how can anyone ignore Jan Kemp and the “remedial studies” scam, the Jim Harrick fiasco, the DUIs in the athletic office, the DUIs and other arrests of players, the #1 party school tag (i.e., the most drunk students), the suspensions and outright dismissals, the Fulmer Cup, and on and on?
As disgraceful and humiliating as it is, I don’t see many alums and fans demanding an end to this sordid activity. It sets UGA apart as the kind of school most people abhor, and it’s become an embarrassment to the whole state of Georgia.
Will it never end? Apparently not while Mark Richt is at UGA. Richt is perhaps the biggest hypocrite in the United States. But even with all the cheating and lawlessness that he ignores, he still can’t win the SEC.
So you’re paying him to be BCS champions, but he can’t even win his SEC division. So why do you pay him millions of dollars a year?
Just asking.
Bulldawg Richie
October 7th, 2010
2:59 pm
Me. I’m sticking with Coach Richt and giving him a good chance to bring things back around to where it should be. If you fire CMR, who are you going to get? Plus, guess what’s going to happen with all those recruits when CMR and his staff, including Rodney Garner, are gone. It’s best to support the program right now.